CHINA'S agricultural insurance premiums reached 1.1 billion yuan (US$145 million) by the end of June 2007, up 124 percent over the same period last year, according to China Insurance Regulatory Commission.

Policy holders in rural areas received 156 million yuan in indemnity, up 240 percent. Agricultural insurers provided up to 35.6 billion yuan to relieve the impact of natural disasters on farmers.